NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated Friday he’s “confident” that Ukraine is able to make territorial positive aspects in opposition to Russia, as Ukrainian armed forces put together for a brand new offensive. Stoltenberg spoke from Ramstein Air Base in Germany, the place 50 nations attended a gathering hosted by the United States on Friday to debate coordinating additional assist for Ukraine. All instances are Paris time (GMT+2).
5:31pm: Belarus prosecutors search 10-year jail time period for activist
Belarusian prosecutors on Friday requested a 10-year jail time period for an opposition activist who helped coordinate mass protests in opposition to President Alexander Lukashenko’s regime in 2020.
Roman Protasevich, the editor of the opposition Telegram channel Nexta, was arrested in 2021 after his Ryanair flight was intercepted by a fighter jet and compelled to land in Minsk.
After his arrest, which shocked aviation authorities worldwide, Protasevich is believed to have been coerced by authorities into issuing apologetic statements on state tv. As his trial opened in February, he stated he was “fully guilty,” in a video printed by state news company Belta.
Prosecutor Natalia Sokolova additionally sought prolonged jail phrases for 2 different exiled contributors to the Nexta channel, with a request for Stepan Putilo to serve 20 years in jail, and 19 years for Yan Rudnik.
Sokolova stated the shorter sentencing request for Protasevich was as a result of he had “fulfilled the terms of cooperation.”
5:26pm: Abrams tanks will make distinction in Ukraine battle however no silver bullet: US normal
The US determination to supply Ukraine with 31 superior M1A2 Abrams tanks will make a distinction within the battle however isn’t any silver bullet, US Army General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated on Friday.
Milley’s remarks got here because the United States introduced that Abrams tanks for use to coach the Ukrainians will arrive in Germany within the coming weeks.
“I’m biased, but I think the M1 tank’s the best tank in the world … I do think the M1 tank, when it is delivered, will make a difference,” Milley, the highest US normal, stated after a gathering of Ukraine’s allies at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. “But I would also caution there’s no silver bullet in war.”
5:26pm: Badminton retains sanctions on Russians and Belarusians, archery drops its ban
One Olympic sport, badminton, stated on Friday it was holding its ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes, as one other, archery, stated it had determined in precept to allow them to compete.
As Moscow’s assault on Ukraine stretches right into a second 12 months, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has really useful permitting athletes from Russia and ally Belarus to compete as neutrals in upcoming worldwide competitions.
While the IOC has stated it can make a ultimate determination nearer to the beginning of the Games in July 2024, sports activities federations have needed to make choices in current week on who can participate of their qualifying occasions for Paris.
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) stated in a press release on Friday that its determination “reflects BWF’s core intention to preserve the integrity of badminton competitions and ensure the safety of all athletes”.
World Archery, in the meantime, launched a press release saying it took the choice at a gathering on Thursday “to explore a timetable for the return of these athletes under strict eligibility conditions.”
3:37pm: Frustration with Macron as EU plan to purchase ammunition for Ukraine delayed
EU counterparts blamed France on Friday for delaying approval of a plan for the bloc to collectively purchase desperately-needed ammunition for Ukraine.
In March, EU leaders agreed to supply ammunition for Ukraine from the “European defence industry” and Norwegian producers, as Oslo can be a part of the scheme.
EU assured for Ukraine
But European diplomats complained that France, a fierce protector of its personal defence trade, is now insisting that this implies manufacturing have to be completely accomplished contained in the EU.
That would exclude shells made in crops exterior Europe, comparable to one majority-owned by German big Rheinmetall in Australia.
EU international ministers are anticipated to debate the difficulty at a gathering in Luxembourg on Monday and diplomats stated they hoped a ultimate settlement might be reached subsequent week.
3:29pm: Germany pronounces deal to restore tanks for Ukraine at hub in Poland
Germany, Poland and Ukraine signed an settlement on Friday for a hub to restore Leopard tanks utilized in Ukraine to combat Russian forces, Germany’s Defence Minister Boris Pistorius stated at a gathering of allies on the Ramstein air base.
All events agreed on tips on how to finance such a hub, which prices round 150-200 million euros ($384 million) a 12 months and will start operations on the finish of May, Pistorius instructed reporters.
3:28pm: NATO chief assured Ukraine able to make offensive positive aspects
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated Friday he’s “confident” that Ukraine is ready to retake extra territory as Kyiv readies for a brand new offensive in opposition to invading Russian forces.
“I’m confident that they will now be in a position to be able to liberate even more land,” Stoltenberg instructed journalists in Germany when requested if Ukraine has what it must efficiently execute the offensive.
2:36pm: Moscow courtroom seeks arrest of Ukrainian spy chief Budanov, says state media
A Moscow courtroom on Friday issued a warrant for the arrest of the pinnacle of Ukrainian army intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, accusing the spy chief of organising “terrorist attacks” inside Russia, state-owned news company RIA reported.
RIA cited the courtroom as saying that Budanov was accused of offences associated to terrorism and arms smuggling. The transfer in opposition to him was introduced “in absentia”, in an obvious acknowledgement that Budanov can’t be instantly detained.
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) beforehand named Budanov because the organiser of an explosion that broken the bridge linking Russia to the annexed Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea in October.
2:33pm: Kyiv says state of affairs in metropolis of Bakhmut ‘underneath management’
Ukraine stated on Friday Russian forces had made some advances in fierce preventing for the japanese metropolis of Bakhmut however that the state of affairs was underneath management.
Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Malyar made her feedback shortly earlier than Russia’s defence ministry stated its assault troops had been now preventing in western components of Bakhmut, the final a part of town held by Ukrainian forces.
“The situation is tense, but under control,” Malyar wrote on the Telegram messaging app. “Decisions are being made according to military expediency.
1:27pm: Kremlin says not planning new Ukraine mobilisation drive
The Kremlin said Friday it did not plan a new mobilisation drive for its military operation in Ukraine, amid media reports that students were being served draft notices.
“There isn’t any discuss within the Kremlin about some type of mobilisation wave,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
Peskov said that work was ongoing to modernise and digitalise Russia’s draft system in efforts related to “the constitutional obligation of Russian residents to carry out obligatory army service.”
Last week Putin signed off on legislation to create a digital draft system that could bar men from leaving the country amid Moscow’s offensive in Ukraine.
The bill was rushed through parliament and even Kremlin-friendly lawmakers complained it was adopted under a veil of secrecy.
Those who fail to show up at the enlistment office following receipt of the electronic draft notice will not be able to take out loans, register property or work as individual entrepreneurs.
12:16am: Britain sanctions Russian figures linked to jailing of Putin critic Kara-Murza
Britain on Friday sanctioned a Russian judge and four others linked to the arrest of British-Russian Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza, who was jailed for 25 years this week.
“Russia’s therapy and conviction of Vladimir Kara-Murza as soon as once more demonstrates its utter contempt for fundamental human rights,” British foreign minister James Cleverly said.
“The UK will proceed to assist Mr Kara-Murza and his household. I name on Russia to launch him instantly and unconditionally.”
12:10am: Ukraine allies vow strong backing at key Ramstein talks
International backing for Ukraine holds “robust and true”, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said Friday, as he opened a meeting in Germany with allies to discuss further support for Kyiv.
On the eve of the talks gathering representatives from 50 countries, President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Western allies to send more fighter jets and long-range missiles to help repel Russian troops.
“Our assist for the forces of freedom in Ukraine holds robust and true,” Austin said as he began the discussions.
11:29am: US to begin training Ukrainian troops on Abrams tank
The United States will begin training Ukrainian forces on how to use and maintain Abrams tanks in the coming weeks, as it continues to speed up its effort to get them onto the battlefield as quickly as possible, US officials said Friday.
The decision comes as defence leaders from around Europe and the world are meeting at Ramstein Air Base, in the ongoing effort to coordinate the delivery of weapons and other equipment to Ukraine. An announcement is expected later on Friday.
According to the officials, 31 tanks will arrive at Grafenwoehr Training Area in Germany at the end of May, and the troops will begin training a few weeks later. Officials said the troop training will last about 10 weeks.
10:47am: Ukraine seeking new air defence mechanisms from the West
Ukraine is continuing to call for more sophisticated air defence mechanisms from its Western allies, with leaked Pentagon documents showing that the country is running dangerously low on surface-to-air missiles. Ukraine expended large amounts of ammunition shooting down long-range Russian missiles targeting its energy infrastructure. Although this tactic allowed the country to survive the winter without the complete collapse of its electricity grid, FRANCE 24 correspondent Gulliver Cragg reports from Kyiv that Ukraine has little left with which to fight Russia’s air force in an expected counter-offensive.
10:47am: Poland allows transit of Ukrainian grain
Poland on Friday allowed the transit of Ukrainian grain and other food through its borders, partially lifting a near week-long ban imposed in response to protests from farmers.
Poland and other European Union countries bordering Ukraine imposed temporary bans on Ukrainian grain exports after farmers protested a slump in prices related to the influx.
Ukraine has transported such exports across EU borders since Russia’s invasion disrupted its usual Black Sea shipping route.
10:39am: Austin seeks to stem discord with allies over document leaks
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin sought Friday to tamp down any discord between the US and its allies over the massive US leak of classified documents, as he met with defence leaders from around the globe to coordinate additional military aid to Ukraine.
Acknowledging that the other nations have closely followed the issue, Austin hit the subject head on in his opening remarks to start the meeting. The move underscored the gravity of the situation, since many of the documents distributed online revealed details on the status of the war in Ukraine and the ongoing delivery of weapons and other equipment to Ukrainian forces in battle – intelligence matters the other defence officials are keenly involved in.
“I take this concern very critically,” Austin said at the start of the day-long session at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. “And we’ll proceed to work carefully and respectfully with our deeply valued allies and companions. “
9:40am: Kremlin warplane fires into Russian city near Ukraine, injuring three
A Russian Sukhoi-34 supersonic warplane fired a weapon into the city of Belgorod near Ukraine late on Thursday, causing an explosion and injuring three people. The Russian defence ministry said the discharge was unintentional.
“As a Sukhoi Su-34 air drive airplane was flying over town of Belgorod there was an unintended discharge of aviation ammunition,” Russian news agency Tass cited the defence ministry as saying.
Video footage from the site showed piles of concrete on the street, several damaged cars and a building with broken windows. One shot showed what appeared to be car upside down on the roof of a store.
Belgorod region governor Vyacheslav Gladkov announced a state of emergency overnight and said there was a crater measuring 20 metres (65 feet) across on one of the main streets. Four cars and four apartment buildings were damaged, he added.
9:39am: NATO’s Stoltenberg reaffirms Ukraine will eventually join alliance
All NATO allies have agreed that Ukraine will eventually become a member of the alliance but the main focus now is to ensure the country prevails against Russia, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Friday.
Speaking ahead of a meeting of the Ukraine defence contact group at Ramstein air base in Germany, he also told reporters that, once the war in Ukraine ends, Kyiv must have “the deterrence to stop new assaults”.
8:04pm: Air alarms in Kyiv triggered by Shahid drones
Reporting from Kyiv, Ukraine, FRANCE 24 correspondent Gulliver Cragg said the Ukrainian air force is reporting having shot down eight out of ten Shahid drones believed to be flying over Ukraine last night. The air force said that an “infrastructure object” in Poltava region in the country’s centre was hit, with no casualties reported.
4:14am: G7 nations considering near-total ban of exports to Russia
Group of Seven (G7) countries are considering a near-total ban of exports to Russia, Kyodo news agency reported on Friday, citing Japanese government sources.
4:00am: China is not inflaming Ukraine situation, says Chinese FM
China is not inflaming the situation in Ukraine, and advocates a peaceful resolution of international disputes through dialogue and diplomacy, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang said on Friday.
China has no intention to engage in a major power competition, Qin said at the Lanting Forum in Shanghai, adding that it opposes attempts to build walls and barriers to interrupt international supply chains.
1:15am: German defence minister says now is not time to discuss NATO membership for Ukraine
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius rejected a quick decision on Ukraine’s membership at NATO, the Western alliance that has supported Ukraine throughout its war with Russia, with member states supplying it with weapons.
Kyiv wants the military alliance to offer it membership.
“The door is open a crack, however this isn’t the time to determine now,” Pistorius said late on Thursday on ZDF’s Maybrit Illner program, adding that Ukraine was aware of the decision-making situation.
12:40am: Ukraine’s Zelensky urges Mexico to help deliver his peace plan
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday urged Mexico to help make the case in Latin America for his peace plan for Ukraine, even as tensions persist within the country’s ruling party about offering support to Kyiv.
Mexico’s government has said it wants to remain neutral in Ukraine’s war with Russia.
Some Ukraine supporters have criticised leftist President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador for finding fault with European arms shipments to Kyiv.
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Key developments of Thursday, April 20
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on a visit to Kyiv Thursday that the alliance’s priority was to ensure Ukraine “prevails” in the war against Russia and that a membership plan for Kyiv will be discussed at a summit in July. “Let me be clear: Ukraine’s rightful place is within the euro-Atlantic household. Ukraine’s rightful place is in NATO. And over time, our assist will enable you to make this attainable,” Stoltenberg told reporters during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will hold a meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York on Monday, Russian UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said. The diplomat said earlier this week that Lavrov and Guterres would discuss the Black Sea grain deal.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and Reuters)
Originally printed on France24